I have a Bible on my shelf that was given to me when I was a kid. It has stick on tabs of all the books and some of them are less-than-straight because I was nine when I stuck them on. I still have the Bible, although the Bible became something much different after I became a follower of Jesus Christ.

That Bible sat on my shelf for years. On occasion I would open it, but my goal was not to hear from God. In high school and during my freshman year of college, I would see that Bible and think of it as a harsh rule book. Of course I didn't want to open it. It was a fence that kept me from what I wanted. But I see it very different now.

As I look at God's Kingdom Ethic for life in the New Normal, I can't help but see the Word of God like a boy sitting with a loving father on a summer evening. "Dad, can I ask you a question?" it might start. But then the father lovingly shares wisdom and guidance, warning and even tips on how to be a better husband. This is Ephesians 5:22-6:9.

Pastor Jared is preaching from Ephesians 5:22-6:9 this week. Please keep him in your prayers. And by all means, start hearing from God on this one before Sunday. Look over the text. Read it a few times. Pray about it. Write down some thoughts and questions. And come ready to sit with that Loving Father with us.

In addition, there is a lot of cool stuff coming up this month. Here's a video explaining some of it.

If you live the area and would like to join us, please come be our guest. We meet at the Northwest Community Center (1300 W. 300 N.) at 11:00. We pray together at 10:00 and we'd love to have you join us for that too. (If you can't make it, we'd still love to pray for you. You can leave us a prayer request here.)